Introduction: The mechanisms of genetic contribution to the development of obesity need to be precisely established in interventions for weight loss, such as bariatric surgery. The gene MAX-like protein X (MLX) is a key mediator in the detection of intracellular glucose, responsible for regulating genes involved in glycolysis and in lipogenesis. Therefore, the analysis of this gene expression may elucidate the understanding of the changes occurring in energy metabolism in obesity
Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the MLX expression in women with obesity before and after bariatric surgery.
Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 13 women with grade III obesity before and six months after bariatric surgery. The nutritional status classification was performed using weight and Body Mass Index (BMI). The analysis of the genetic profile was performed in peripheral blood by the microarray methodology, BeadChip - Illuminaâ„¢ and with subsequent validation by the quantitative Real Time PCR method. Data were analyzed by statistical software SPSS version 20 with a significance level p<0.05.
Results: Differences were observed in weight variables (115.4±19.5 vs. 86.7±13.8 kg, p<0.01), body mass index (42.5±7.0 vs. 32.1±5.6 kg/m2 p <0.01), in the final stage of the study. There was an increase in MLX expression six months after the surgery (fold change 2.2E+06, p=0.01).
Conclusion: There was significant weight loss and increased MLX expression 6 months after the surgical treatment. Understanding this pathway related to energy metabolism, can lead us to future treatments for obesity
Acknowledgements: Grant#2015/06624-1, São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)